Enterprise Search, Take 4

Microsoft is taking a fresh stab at enterprise search with Windows
Search 4.0, designed largely for Windows shops.

This is a pretty big area, and one that is very easy to test. Any clown can
tell you which search works best -- that's why Google rules in Web and desktop
searches. It only takes one or two queries before the depth of its indexing
proves superior.

The new Microsoft software is in beta, and now works with OneNote (should be
called OneCustomer) and Outlook.

The biggest flaw is its Windows-centricity. Some may run almost all-Microsoft
operating systems, but the data is stored in apps from all over. This means
you need more than one enterprise search tool if you really want to find things.

Hyper-V: As Easy as Pie (Once You
Configure the Stove!)
Our new magazine/Web site/blog/newsletter Virtualization
Review is fully up and running. In fact, we just printed and shipped
tens of thousands of copies of the very first issue.

Leading our virtualization charge is former Redmond Editor Keith Ward,
now editor of Virtualization Review. (Keith is so good, we hire him back
every time he leaves for what he thinks are greener pastures. Now he knows the
truth: Ain't nothing greener than virtualization!)

Keith is a techie at heart and lately has been messing with a sweet
HP loaner server, most recently loading Windows Server 2008 and the beta
of Hyper-V. So far, so good. The only glitch was enabling virtualization on
HP's Xeon processors before he could successfully load the new Microsoft hypervisor.

Keith promises a steady stream of reports on various hypervisors -- all from
the perspective of a new virtualization user, which most people in IT actually
are. Keep up with Keith's blog here
or get the RSS feed here.

Redmond Report Beta BuildLast
week, I told you about RedmondReport.com.
At the risk of some confusion, RedmondReport.com is not a Web version of this
here newsletter, but instead a portal to all things Microsoft.

This newsletter mostly talks about things that our own Web sites can elaborate
on. Hopefully, we give you enough that you don't need to go to other sites, but
if you want more info, the articles are there.

RedmondReport.com is the opposite. The links are entirely to outside sources
-- competitors, rivals and even enemies all get equal billing. I hope you bookmark
this site, and check
it out daily. Just don't stop visiting our other sites!

Bill on Immigration (Bill Gates,
That Is)
I try to avoid being political in this newsletter, but in this case I'm making
an exception.

Here's the backdrop: Bill Gates has long argued for loosening
our Visa rules so companies such as Microsoft can bring in smart people.
Bill made this same case in a speech
a few weeks ago in front of the U.S. House of Representatives.

I happen to agree with him. I'm pretty hardcore when it comes to illegal immigration
-- and not because I dislike immigration. Just the opposite; I love immigration.
My feeling is that illegal immigration restricts a country's ability to welcome
legal immigrants. A country should be able to define its immigration strategy,
and has the right to give preference to highly educated immigrants.

I know some people are threatened by smart newcomers stealing the best jobs;
things might get more competitive. But how many startups are started up by foreigners?
Smart immigrants build economic leadership, invent new things and create some
pretty sweet jobs.

Turns out, there was a deeper irony. Apparently, it takes more electricity
to power a black screen than a light one.

Mailbag: Another Micrsosoft Standards
Move?
One reader shares his thoughts about Microsoft's plans for network and systems
management:

I would watch very carefully what Microsoft is doing in the network and
systems management area. They are hiring Unix/Linux people with experience
in DMTF/CIM -- maybe they are doing the right thing, more standards, less
proprietary? Many other vendors are on same track.
-Tuomo

Tell us what you think about any of the topics covered here! Leave a comment
below or send an e-mail to dbarney@redmondmag.com.

About the Author

Doug Barney is editor in chief of Redmond magazine and the VP, editorial director of Redmond Media Group.